Swamp Sunflowers

picture by Anita

Native

Perennial

Bloom: Autumn

Propagation: Seed

Swamp sunflowers are native to GA ditches and other wet areas. Similar to helianthus maximas, the swamp sunflower is covered in yellow shortly before the first frost. Left un-tidied through the winter,(ie: don't deadhead), swamp sunflower provides meals for the winter birds, and thus serves a second valuable function.

Swamp sunflowers look like big black-eyed susans, up to 12 ft high (when happy) and some 6ft wide. They are beautiful! Of course swamp sunflowers will not get as large in drier conditions, in shade or in unworked soil.

I plant swamp sunflower in a new location by placing the entire plant stalk on top of the ground [after the seeds have had sufficient time to ripen] and allowing the seeds to fall at their leisure.